Please Note: This is a part-time, term position.
A Term position is a staff position that exists for a period longer than six months but is not expected to last beyond one year. Although a position may exist for a specified or indefinite period, staff who accept term positions are not guaranteed employment for the entire period; they are employed for indefinite periods within the limit of the appointment. There are no guarantees of continued employment, either within the term or when the term ends.
The Research Assistant is part of the Brain Development Laboratory in Psychology and Human Development Department at Vanderbilt University and is responsible for conducting research. This position will be supported by a grant that aims to investigate the brain basis of literacy in children who are deaf and hard of hearing. We are broadly interested in how the brain changes over development and in individual differences (including disability) in brain organization (https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/boothlab/). This position involves participant recruitment and outreach, administering cognitive testing, collecting neuroimaging data, as well as data management and analysis. The position reports to the Laboratory Director.
About the Work Unit:
The Department of Psychology and Human Development at Vanderbilt University is a group of scholars who work to increase understanding of basic psychological functioning and neuropsychological development in various contexts. The department offers a doctoral degree in Psychological Sciences jointly with the Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Science, with concentrations in clinical science, cognition in context, cognitive neuroscience, developmental science, neuroscience, and quantitative methods. The department also offers master's degrees in child studies, cognition in context and quantitative methods as well as undergraduate majors in child development and cognitive studies. The department maintains strong collaborative ties with various units on campus including Advanced Computing Center for Research and Education, Bill Wilkerson Center, Brain Institute, Institute of Imaging Science, and Kennedy Center, as well as Department of Hearing and Speech, Department of Special Education and the Department of Teaching and Learning.
Duties and Responsibilities
- PARTICIPANT SCHEDULING AND COORDINATION: Publicizing study, scheduling and consenting participants, attending various events in the community to advertise our work.
- ADMINISTERING COGNITIVE TESTING: Conducting experiments as well as standardized ability and achievement testing. Requires use of protocols for psychoeducational measures, use of specialized computer software to collect behavioral data and use of mock MRI to familiarize participants.
- COLLECTING NEUROIMAGING DATA: Coordinating participants in neuroimaging experiments and collecting Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data at imaging center.
- DATA MANAGEMENT AND ANALYSIS: Data scoring and entry, data management, basic analysis and data quality checks.
Qualifications
- A Bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders, Linguistics, Neuroscience, Psychology, Special Education or a related field from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
- Proficiency in American Sign Language (ASL) and familiarity with Deaf culture is necessary.
- Experience interacting with children, teachers, parents and the community is necessary.
- Experience in recruiting participants into studies is necessary.
- Experience in conducting behavioral research studies is necessary.
- Experience with computer software including social media and office applications is necessary.
- Willingness to work some evening and weekend is necessary.
- Experience administering standardized testing is preferred.
- Experience in institutional review board processes is preferred.
- Experience with database and statistical applications is preferred.
- Experience in pediatric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is preferred.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities, and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.
